Harshita Brella: Police get disciplinary notices over case of woman found dead in car boot

Four police officers have been given disciplinary notices over alleged failings in handling a domestic abuse report by a woman later found dead in a car boot.

Harshita Brella, 24, was found in a Vauxhall Corsa in Ilford, east London, on 14 November.

Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, is the target of an international manhunt and earlier this week was charged with her murder, rape and other offences.

Indian police have also arrested Lamba's parents and believe Ms Brella's death is connected to a dispute over a dowry.

The couple lived in Corby, Northamptonshire, and Ms Brella made a domestic abuse report at the end of August.

Lamba, 23, was arrested on 3 September but was released on bail, with a court granting a domestic violence protection order.

Officers from Northamptonshire Police have now been served with disciplinary notices by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

Two detective constables are being investigated over potential gross misconduct.

The IOPC said it was over "alleged failings to progress inquiries and communicate with Ms Brella" after she made her domestic abuse complaint.

Two more senior officers have been served with misconduct notices over their "supervision of the case and relevant risk assessments".

The IOPC said it was still gathering and assessing evidence and it does not automatically mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: "Our investigation into the death of Harshita Brella is on-going and our thoughts remain with her family.

"Our Professional Standards Department is in contact with the IOPC, however, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further while their investigation takes place."

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Lamba and Ms Brella had an arranged marriage and moved to the UK in April 2024, just seven months before she was killed.

A neighbour in Corby described hearing two blistering rows, involving one where a woman "sounded scared", days before her body was found.

The victim's family believe Lamba was on a flight to Delhi that arrived on 12 November.

Ms Brella's sister, Sonia Davas, told Sky News she believes he could be "somewhere in Haryana or near Chandigarh", states in northern India.

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